Stewart Downing ripping up defences in the Championship for Boro next season – has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

Well, it could happen. It could happen if West Ham accept Boro’s bid; it could happen if Boro can find the cash to fund the transfer and his wages; it could happen if a Premier League club doesn’t blow Boro’s bid out of the water.

Given a choice, Downing, who has just enjoyed one of the most productive and impressive seasons of his career operating through the middle for the Hammers, would prefer to play for Boro next season and it’s fair to say he would like to return to the North-east after six years away from the region.

He’d love to help Boro win promotion and finish his career helping establish the club back in the Premier League.

If, for whatever reason, a deal can’t be thrashed out, then a move to Wearside would no doubt be a viable alternative.

He still has a home in Middlesbrough and could easily commute up the A19 to the Academy of Light.

Had Boro won at Wembley, Downing would almost certainly be on his way back to Boro by now, providing West Ham agreed to sell him of course.

Who knows, maybe he would be reporting for pre-season training at Rockliffe Park on Monday along with the majority of the first team squad.

The Premier League cash flooding into the club’s bank accounts following promotion would have comfortably financed a move for a player who has two years remaining on his current deal equating to something like £6m-£7m.

Stewart Downing celebrates scoring for West Ham this season (Image: PA)

Factor in a transfer fee and signing Downing now, when top flight football isn’t guaranteed, is a huge financial commitment, especially for a player who will be 31 later this month.

But the Boro chairman knows what he’s doing. He knows Boro only narrowly missed out on promotion last season and wants to add a couple of players to the squad who can make a difference in key games.

Too many times last season – Bournemouth, Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, Wembley – Boro failed to perform. Gibson and Aitor Karanka have identified players they feel can turn a very good side into a team that will deliver the goods when it really counts.

Downing is a matchwinner, he’s vastly experienced, he’s won man of the match awards in cup finals, he’s played at international level for four different England managers, and he wants to come back.

His return would be the Championship transfer coup of the summer, but don’t hold your breath, there are no guarantees it will happen, and if it does, it could well take a while to get the deal over the line, as Sky Sports like to say at this time of year. But don’t worry, as Sky also like to claim, we’re right across the story!